What would Yahshua do? This is one of the most popular questions in nominal worship today. It is found emblazoned on shirts, notebooks, billboards, bracelets and many other items. Even though this phrase has become somewhat mundane, its validity extends to all believers in the Messiah. In 1Peter 2:21 we find that we’re to follow Yahshua’s examples: “For even here unto were ye called: because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.”
What does it mean to follow in Yahshua’s steps? The word “example” is from the Greek hupogrammos and means a copy for imitation. Yahshua’s life serves an example that we’re to emulate or mimic. In other words, we’re to live as He lived, worship as He worshipped, and act as He acted. He is our pattern for right living.
Scripture says that if we’ve seen the Son, we’ve also seen the Father (John 14:9). The example that Yahshua provided serves as a reflection of our Father’s own behavior. This fact adds additional reason we’re to follow in the footsteps of our Savior. Here we will consider three different attributes of our Savior, with the understanding that we’re to follow or emulate each: (1) humility, (2) forgiveness, and (3) love.
While we can certainly find other attributes of our Savior, these three were not only central to Yahshua’s ministry, but also often missing from the lives of believers.
Humility
Few attributes are more crucial in the Word than humility. In Matthew 20:26 Yahshua explains why his disciples must show humility: “But Yahshua called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.”
In verse 26 Yahshua draws a contrast between the world and the Faith. Unlike the world, those who are exalted in the Faith are those who minister. Minister comes from the Greek doulos and figuratively means a slave. So if we desire to be great in the Kingdom we must become slaves or servants to one another.
Our world embraces pride and selfish-ness; conversely, Yahweh’s truth embraces humility and servitude. If we desire a position in the Kingdom, we must first learn how to abase or humble ourselves before others. There’s no greater example of this humility than from our Savior.
In verse 28 Yahshua said again, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” This word “minister” is derived from the Greek diakoneo and means, to be an attendant, i.e., wait upon. So we find the purpose for Yahshua’s coming was not to be served, but to serve.
Being the Son of Almighty Yahweh, if anyone was in a position to be served, it was Yahshua the Messiah. Why do you suppose Yahshua chose to serve? The answer is obvious; he did so as an example or pattern that we’re to mimic. Yahshua not only taught humility, but also showed and lived this attribute through His own life. In like manner, do we serve our brothers and sisters? Do we look first to the needs our family in Messiah or do we look out only for number one?
Yahshua said again that we must become servants to one another if we’ll be blessed in the Kingdom. Humility is one of the most difficult attributes for many to achieve. Let’s face it; raw human nature wants little to do with humility or meekness. It is for this reason that as Yahweh’s people we must strive to remove our natural pride and replace it with unnatural humility.
Paul in Philippians 2:2 admonishes us to have the same mind of humility that Yahshua had: “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Messiah Yahshua: Who, being in the form of Elohim, thought it not robbery to be equal with Elohim: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”
As was our Example, we’re to be more cognizant of the needs of others, even over our own needs. We’re also told here to do everything in lowliness of mind. What does this mean? Everything we do should be done with meekness and humility. This is why we’re to be more concerned about the needs of others. Selfishness is a byproduct of pride. This is why a selfish person cannot inherit the Kingdom of Yahweh.
To overcome this carnality we must have the same mind as the Messiah. As Yahshua served and humbled himself, we’re to do the same. In verse seven Paul states that Yahshua made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form a servant. The word “reputation” comes from the Greek kenoo and means, to make empty, i.e., to abase. Now how was this accomplished? This was done in two ways. First, He humbled himself by serving man and dying for man’s sins. Second, He humbled or emptied himself when he gave up the glory that he had with His Father prior to being born as a man (John 17:5).
Forgiveness
The second attribute of our Savior that we need to have forgiveness. Matthew 6:9 contains the Master’s Prayer, where we find a key component of this attribute. “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt. 6:9).
In this model prayer, Yahshua asked that Yahweh forgive our debts in the same manner that we forgive our debtors. In verses 14-15 He goes on to explain that unless we forgive, we cannot receive forgiveness. So what do we learn from this passage? Forgiveness is reciprocal. In other words, to receive forgiveness, we must forgive. What does it mean to forgive? Forgiveness is letting go of strife, hatred, animosity, and bitterness and keeping no record of wrongs. Forgiveness is a required key for Yahweh’s Kingdom and a cornerstone of what the Messiah represents. Now as believers how often are we called to forgive?
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Master, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Yahshua saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matt. 18:21-22).
Seventy times seven represents innumerable times. In other words, there is no limit to our forgiveness. While forgiveness is not always easy, it is a responsibility and holy obligation of every believer. We might argue, but that person doesn’t deserve my forgiveness. Even though we may be able to justify this position in human terms, we cannot from Yahweh’s Word or by the example of our Savior. How many times has mankind rebelled against Yahweh’s Truth? More than one can count. How many times has Yahweh shown mercy upon mankind for his rebellion? Again, more than one can count. If Yahweh used the same measurement that many of us use, none of us would exist today. Our Savior is no exception. Like His Father, He too has shown great mercy and compassion. This mercy is no better illustrated than by His own death.
“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they impaled him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Yahshua, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Messiah, the chosen of Elohim” (Luke 23:33-35).
We find here the last few minutes of our Savior’s life. In verse 34 Yahshua shatters the earth when He says, “…forgive them; for they know not what they do.” The pain and torture that Yahshua suffered at this point was horrific; nonetheless, He maintained forgiveness in His heart. He asked His Father to forgive those who gave false testimony and unmercifully tortured Him.
This is the example that we’re to follow; we’re to forgive, as the Messiah forgave. If anyone had a reason not to forgive, it was Yahshua, but we find that He forgave. Forgiveness is one of the greatest messianic principles we find within Yahweh’s Word. If we desire to be part of Yahweh’s Kingdom, we must liberate ourselves from anger and learn to forgive, even when we’ve been unjustly wronged.
Love
Now the most important attribute of our Savior and of Yahweh’s truth is love. As our Savior showed forgiveness, we find that he equally showed love. As a matter of fact, it is this attribute that ties all believers together in Messiah. “A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35).
Yahshua commanded His disciples to love one another, as he loved them. This word “love” derives from the Greek agapao. According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, “Agape and agapao are used in the New Testament (a) to describe the attitude of [Yahweh] toward His Son, John 17:26; the human race, generally, John 3:16; Rom 5:8, and to such as believe on the [Master Yahshua Messiah] particularly John 14:21…” Those immersed are brothers and sisters within the family of Messiah and as such, we should love one another as Yahweh loves us.
By this love we are Yahshua’s disciples. To be part of Messiah, we must have true genuine love for one another. This is the second greatest commandment found within the Word (Matt. 22:39). To be worthy of the prize of Yahweh’s Kingdom, we must walk in the love of Messiah.
Now how did Yahshua show His love to mankind? He showed His love in many ways, but none greater than through his own death. Yahshua in John 15:12 said that we were to have this same caliber of love for one another: “This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you.” Yahshua gave his own life as a ransom for our sins. He died so that we might have hope of everlasting life. This is the example that he left and we’re to follow. We must be willing and able to give our lives, as our Savior gave His. Could we die for those whom we love?
Love is not only an emotion but also an action that requires sacrifice. If we’ll be counted worthy as His disciples we must be willing to demonstrate this level of love to our fellow man, especially to those in the household of faith (Gal 6:10). As our example He gave all to a people who rejected Him; we again must be willing to do the same.
As Yahshua demonstrated humility, forgiveness, and love through his own life, as his disciples we are called to follow in His pattern. Are we following in His examples daily? If the answer is no, then we need to immediately stop and change course. If the answer is yes, praise Yahweh! We should never deviate from the examples of our Savior, for by them we find the path to everlasting life.
